Shelter Protects LGBT Kids When Parents Won't

(Link) If you're looking for a worthy cause to donate your holiday bonus to, a place like this might be the right place to invest those bucks.

Madonna's Maverick to Launch Queer Soap Opera

(Link) The muscle-bound Material Girl knows her core audience, and it ain't straight folks. Hence the upcoming primetime drama "San Rafael", which revolves around a group of LGBT folks who share an apartment complex.

Couple Wins Damages in Wedding Reception Case

(Link) Knights of Columbus calendar: Monday's Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser, Wednesday Night's Annual Spaghetti Supper followed by Thursday's Lawsuit Brunch. If you think discrimination -- and a reluctance to return a deposit on a same-sex wedding reception is involved -- say "Bingo!"

About.com's Lesbian Holiday Gift Guide 2005

(Link) Buried under the popup ads, frames and advertising clutter of About.com lies a pretty good list of amusing ideas for for the gift giving season. Dyke Duck anyone?

Lesbian Fire Chief Blazes New Ground in Minneapolis

(Link) She's not only the city's first female fire chief -- she's the first openly gay fire chief of any major US city. "People want to know, is it lonely at the top?" Bleskachek said. "And I tell them, you know, I've been an outsider my whole life."

Sandals Resort Chain Drops Anti-Gay Stance

(Link) When enough advertisers refused the company's ads for honeymoon getaways to Antigua, Jamaica, St. Lucia and the Bahamas, Sandals finally backed down on its "straight couples only" stance. Sun and sand for everyone! Woo hoo!

Atlanta Readies for Toy Party and Womens Holiday Ball

(Link) Still wearing your "fat pants" while the swelling from yesterday's food fest subsides? Don't put away that party frock just yet. The season of feasting -- and giving -- is just getting started in Atlanta.

British Couples Gearing Up for Civil Unions

(Link) "[British] society has evolved to a point where people accept people for who they are, not what they are." Let's hope that kinda love gets spread around to the rest of the planet, eh?

Lesbian Sues After Docs Refuse Service

(Link) Although they were happy to provide her with costly treatments for 11 months, the invitro doctors refused to finish the process of making her a mom. Apparently all women treated at the North Coast Women’s Care Medical Group are not treated equally -- especially if they're lesbians.

Victoria's Got a Slightly Kinky Secret

(Link) When a Victoria's Secret store display featured frolicking lesbian mannequins, Virginia's Traditional Values Coalition went into smut-busting action! Quoth Kate Kendall, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights: “If I spent as much time thinking about lesbian sex as they do, I wouldn’t have time to do my real job."

"Postcards from Buster" Feels the Love

(Link) Last year, an animated cartoon bunny was slammed for exposing children to a hardworking lesbian couple who operated a maple syrup farm. The LGBT-friendly Small Change Foundation was deeply touched -- enough to grant Buster enough cash for 10 more episodes.

Top 100 Best Lesbian Places to Live

(Link) Forget those "gay friendly" (aka "boy friendly")lists. Girlfriends Magazine ranks the best cities for for us gals -- with extra points for the cities that featured both Dyke Marches and cheap rent!

Lesbian Gang Leader Gets 28 Years for Murder

(Link) Sacre bleu, things are getting crazy in France. Sure the "French lesbian gang leader" part seemed appealing in that "bad grrl" sort of way -- until she shot an unarmed man in the throat.

Dying Worker's House Won't Go To Partner

(Link) Because Ocean County, New Jersey is permitted (but not required)to offer domestic partner benefits, Stacie Andree will be losing both her partner to cancer and her home in just a few months.

Developer Envisions "A Place For Us"

(Link) A Cleveland, Ohio real estate developer's vision: a housing project for the GLBT crowd of all ages. With condos in the half-a-million range, your neighbors will more than likely be the "loaded lesbians" from yesterday's article. But did we mention it'll be in Cleveland?

Little Sisters Bookstore Still Fighting for Life

(Link) Vancouver's celebrated queer bookstore and art emporium continues its battle against Canadian Customs, which deems all adult fare "obscene." But who's going to pay the lawyers?

Washington Governor Sidesteps Marriage Talk

(Link) Although she didn't specifically endorse same-sex marriage, Christine Gregoire did become the first acting governor to address the international Gay and Lesbian Leadership Conference in its 21-year history. "We have not lost," Gregoire said. "We have begun. We will win. It will take time. We are not going to allow discrimination in the state of Washington."

The New L Words: "Loaded Lesbians"

(Link) Not "loaded" as in "did you see how loaded that nasty ol' bar trash gal was last night?", but "loaded" as in "loads of cash." According to the UK's Independent Online, the new hotness is dykes with dollars.

Top Ten Lesbian Movie Kisses

(Link) With the internet clogged up by men's versions of what constitutes hot grrl-grrl smooch scenes, it's refreshing to read a list by and for the lesbian audience. No sense in limiting it to 10, though. If they missed any, do add your suggestions to our comments here.

DJ Grrls Shake up DC Club Scene

(Link) Tired of the same boy-oriented dance tunes, lesbian DJs are bringing a punk sensibility -- and better music -- to Ladies Night in DC clubs.

Lesbian Gets 15 Years for Killing Lover's Mom

(Link) The murder isn't as astonishing as the number of people who are glad the old bat is dead -- with the exception of the deceased's sisters, who claim she was nearly a saint.

"L-Word" Still Hovers Around Womens Sports

(Link) "If a woman is really good at her sport, people will question her sexuality." On the plus side, if she comes out these days, she might end up gaining endorsements instead of losing them all like Martina did in the 80s.

Mauresmo Ends Season With a Key Win

(Link) Amelie Mauresmo takes home the win in the World Tennis Association Championship in Los Angeles. Worth mentioning: A) she's French and B) She's out and C) she's a hottie!

Study: LGBT Crowd Pays More Attention to Ads

(Link) Apparently, gaydar also causes us to notice subtle cues in ads that help us determine whether a company is queer-friendly. Admit it: you never noticed Subaru until you saw that "XENALVR" licence plate in an ad.

Baptist Convention Makes Anti-Gay Policy Official

(Link) When "love the sinner, hate the sin" isn't enough, just demote any church who loves the sinner enough to allow them to take up a pew on Sunday. Eating shellfish and wearing cotton/polyester pantsuits are still A-okay, though.

Anna Nicole Smith Cruises for Barmaids in WeHo

(Link) Not satisified with fries and a shake, Anna Nicole "Trainwreck" Smith visits Hamburger Mary's and gets a Waitress "to go."

Point Foundation Scholar to Appear on Oprah

(Link) Disowned after coming out, lesbian freshman Amanda Jessen tells her story on upcoming Ophrah show entitled, "When I Knew I was Gay."

Iowa High Schools Clueless Over Discrimination

(Link) "I was forced to wait outside of a locker room and change by myself after I came out, because I wasn't allowed to change in the locker room anymore with the rest of the girls," Emily said. "I can't go anywhere without locking my car doors anymore, because I just don't feel safe."

Civil Unions Now In Effect in the UK

(Link) New ruling may close the gap on your long distance internet romance with that Brit babe. Just sign here and here, and there, and check this box and file this in triplicate with your embassy. Classes in "British Slang" and "Proper Tea Making 101" will begin in 10 minutes.

Homolka a "Positive Role Model", Says Ex-Lover

(Link) A female convict who had a 3-year fling behind bars with Canada's bisexual torturer-killer claims she was a positive influence on her. If that's better than the drunks and druggies you were dating before, chances are you need to raise your standards. Seriously.

Queen Latifah Enjoys a Good Lap Dance

(Link) In fact, she's such a frequent visitor to one titty bar that she's now pals with the dancers. Aww, ain't that sweet?

Muhammad Ali's Daughter: I Am Not Gay

(Link) Hottie (and undefeated boxer) Laila Ali feels the need to release an official statement to the media to say that while she is getting a divorce, she is not gay and definitely not dating Queen Latifah. Hmmm...how much underlying truth does it take to require a press release to address a rumor?

Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference Coming to Seattle

(Link) Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire, U.S. Reps. Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin will be among the speakers dishing on ways to bring human rights to the humans who need them. Another big topic: teaching closeted leaders how to step out of the closet.

Out Mag Lists "100 Most Influential" Gays, Lesbian & Supporters

(Link) It's just an excerpt so you'll only read about a few folks, but it does feature Melissa Etheridge and Sheriff Lupe Valdez. The latter broke four records in getting elected: first woman, first Latina, first lesbian, and first Democrat in three decades to be elected sheriff in Dallas County, Texas

Veterans Call On Congress Over "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

(Link) Queer veterans join lawmakers and several city governments to get Congressional attention for the Military Readiness Enhancement Act. If passed, it'd sure put an end to those witch hunts at the softball games and in the Defense Language Institute.

Gay Writers/Directors Talk Hollywood

(Link) Sure, we've got "our own" cable channels now in Here! tv and Logo, but making movies about ourselves is still a hard sell. Why? How Americans define "movie star" has a lot to do with it. Hint: that definition includes words like "white" and "heterosexual."

PlanetOut Buys Advocate and Out Magazines

(Link) The website known for chatrooms packed with baby dykes buys up two mags that focus on HIV News and fashion/travel/shopping advice for gay men -- making it the weirdest gay marriage ever.

Austin TV News Ponders the New Ban

(Link) Why isn't the queer movement for equality as strong as the Civil Rights Movement was? A clue: If you feel safe and happy and free, you may fool yourself into thinking everybody else is, too.

Student Accuses Coach of Affair

(Link) If a basketball coach has a 3-year fling with a student, it wouldn't be news here unless it was a female coach and a female student. And yep, they are.

NFL Cheerleaders Fired Over Bathroom Tryst

(Link) By popular demand, here's the pics and bios of the pair whose makeout session in a bathroom stall turned into a bar brawl! For some reason though, these chicks do not even remotely set off my gaydar. Is it the lighting or the fact that one's into NASCAR?

Maine Voters Keep Gay Rights Laws Intact

(Link) At least in one wee New England state, is still officially illegal to discriminate in matters of employment, housing, credit, public accommodations and education based on sexual orientation. Lobstah for everyone!

Texas Becomes 19th State to Ban Same-Sex Marriage

(Link) Matt Foreman, Executive Director of the NGLTF: "When you put a fundamental right of a minority up for popular vote, it's almost impossible to win. I'm not sure the right to desegregate schools, the freedom to marry another race or even access to contraception in many states would exist if those issues were put up for a vote."

Texas Votes on Same-Sex Marriage Today

(Link) Yesterday, a few hundred protestors shouted down a dozen Klansmen who were promoting the ban under the "Christian Family Values" theme. Today, the entire state puts the controversial amendment to a vote.

Bosnia's Gays & Lesbian Would Leave Country

(Link) If you're not old enough to remember the persecution in the US during the 1940s and 50s, just ask a Bosian what it's like. They're living it now.

Lesbian Indie Film Getting Award Notices

(Link) "My Summer of Love", a small British film about the relationship between a working class tomboy and a pampered rich girl, has racked up four major European nominations with more on the way. Ahh, young love...

Homolexicology: Is a Lesbian a Gay?

(Link) The New York Time's William Safire is apparently shocked to discover that "gay" is simply not adequate to cover us all anymore. No word on how long it took him to decode LGBTQ-Other (please specify).

Floridians Gear Up To Fight Adoption Ban

(Link) A bill to allow gays and lesbians to adopt children on a case by case basis has been introduced to the state's House and Senate. Orlando's Coalition for Fair Adoption plans to push for a complete repeal of the ban. Sure it would tick off the 40% who are happy with the ban, but it would give parents to 1,000 children.

Panthers Cheerleaders Caught in Grrl-Grrl Sex Scandal

(Link) Police report claims "the two cheerleaders were having sex with each other in a stall at the bar when other patrons got angry they were taking so long in the bathroom." Surprisingly enough, alcohol was involved.

Radical Lesbian Artists Finally Find an Audience

(Link) They were performance artists who took part in surrealist theater in Paris, confronted gender politics -- and the Nazis. Seventy years later, their spirit, partnership and work are on display.

Ellen and Portia Pondering Parenthood

(Link) Is Ellen actually ready to say "Yep, I'm a Mom" and if so, will her parenting stories be funnier than Rosie's?

Spanish Guide for Girls Banned for "Promoting Homosexuality"

(Link) Any book that encourages young women to give each other full body massages can't be all wrong: "Relax you, let yourself go... you'll surely feel as if you are on another planet."

New Nominee May Not Be Anti-Queer

(Link) Samuel Alito, Dumbya's latest nominee to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the bench, recommended decriminalizing sodomy and said homosexuals should not be discriminated against in the workplace. Will his views of 34 years ago still stand?

Interview: WNBA's Sheryl Swoopes

(Link) On coming out: "I feel like a beautiful black bird that’s just soaring across the sky. Just very free. Very happy. And the fact of me not having to lie anymore is so refreshing and so relaxing." Article includes her mailing address, if you'd like to drop her a line!

Chastity Bono Plans to Lose It on TV

(Link) Feeling extra-fluffy at 200-plus pounds, Cher's daughter joins the cast of "Celebrity Fit Club" and explains how much fun it is to be imperfect-looking in LA. Answer: not much.

Anti-Gay Exodus Now Targeting Teens

(Link) The thoroughly-discredited "ex-gay" group has branched out into Groundswell, a group for Christian teens. Their tactic: teach Christian teens to gaybash their peers into converting.

Legislative Aide Sends Anti-Gay Memo to Constituent

(Link) When Amanda McWane asked her state representative to support gay and lesbian civil-rights legislation, she didn't expect to be told that she's part of a group more annoying than a bunch of pro-lifers. Aide sentenced to attending Email 101 class.

Alaska Supreme Court Okays Partner Benefits

(Link)Despite the statewide ban on same-sex marriage, the state's high court finds that domestic partners of government employees are entitled to the same health, pension and other benefits a spouse enjoys -- and Governor Murkowski is madder than an evangelical wet hen about it.

Dear Today's Christian: How to Deal with the Family Lesbian?

(Link) (Q:) Several years ago, Eloise, a member of my family who had previously been heterosexual, began to live as a lesbian (A:) You recognize that Eloise is not powerless to change her "orientation"--she's already done it once. So pick up your Bible and harrass her back into the closet!

Gay Marriage Debate Still Raging in Texas

(Link) Compare two families, both with parents who've been together 20+ years, and a passel of kids to raise. Except one family is... well, "that way." Does that old complaint about people wanting to marry their pets come up? You bet. *Pfft*

American Girl too Grrl-Friendly for Fashion Show

(Link) Although the shindig would have paid for a new playground and refurbished the school library, Girls Inc might have had the chance to spread acceptance and female empowerment through education. Oh, the horror!